Woman with baby leads deputies on high-speed chase

On Tuesday, Merced County Sheriff’s deputies say they spotted a woman driving erratically on Highway 99.

They tried to pull her over but say she lost control and crashed. Deputies then found a 6-month-old girl in the backseat of the car.

Photos show the end result after a dangerous high-speed chase. A silver car on railroad tracks, airbags deployed, the back bumper nearly ripped off.

Merced County Sheriff’s Deputies say it all started near the Livingston area around 11 a.m.

They say a deputy spotted a car driving dangerously fast down Highway 99.

The driver identified as 24-year-old Aleigha Freitas of Turlock.

“They observed a silver Sudan driving at a high-rated speed, driving erratically, swerving in and out of traffic, he wasn’t able to stop the vehicle at the time because the vehicle had gotten ahead of him but he knew there was a deputy ahead of him,” says Deputy Daryl Allen with the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators say the deputy notified the other one ahead of him and then that deputy attempted to pull over Freitas as well. But say there was no stopping her.

“The vehicle failed to stop, started driving even faster, exceeding 100 miles per hour, at one point the vehicle even went to the shoulder area to pass a big rig,” Allen Explained.

Deputies say moments later Freitas lost control, crashing into this area, landing on top of these train tracks, near the 99 south and Franklin Road.

When deputies went to take Freitas into custody, they discovered her 6-month-old baby girl strapped in a car seat, in the backseat of the car.

Both were transported to a hospital and luckily no one was hurt.

Deputies say they believe Freitas was driving under the influence of drugs based upon statements she made.

They say Freitas also told them that she thought she had a warrant out for her arrest.

Deputies say she had no regard for her child’s safety or life. They say Child Protective Services took the baby into their custody.

“That was heartbreaking for deputies to see going up to that vehicle and finding a baby in the back seat,” Allen expressed.